Touch-free loading system for an in-bay, automatic vehicle wash system

ABSTRACT

A vehicle loading system for the wash bay of an automatic vehicle wash system that eliminates the use of a floor-mounted target to capture the front tire of the vehicle to be washed. The vehicle wash system includes a pair of side position sensors that detect and create a side profile of the vehicle as the vehicle enters into the wash bay. The vehicle wash system includes a front sensor array that includes a plurality of through-beam sensors that detect the front bumper of a vehicle and signal the vehicle operator to stop when the front bumper is in the correct position. An overhead sensor contained on the overhead gantry detects the top profile of the vehicle positioned within the open wash bay. A control unit receives the information from the variety of sensors and operates the overhead gantry based upon the detected parameters of the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present invention is related to and claims priority from U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/203,232 filed on May 8, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is related to a method and apparatus forproperly positioning a vehicle in the wash bay of an automatic vehiclewash system. More specifically, the present invention relates to avehicle-loading system that utilizes a series of sensors to detect andposition a vehicle in the wash bay and thus does not require afloor-mounted target that captures a tire of the vehicle to properlyposition the vehicle within the wash bay of an in-bay, vehicle washsystem.

[0003] In current in-bay, vehicle wash systems, the vehicle-loadingsystem includes a floor-mounted “target” that captures the tire of thevehicle to be washed. The floor-mounted target is typically an inclinedramp or raised member on the wash bay floor. In this type of system, theoperator of the vehicle being washed must guide the left front tire ofhis or her vehicle onto the ramp. The floor-mounted target is used toaccurately position the vehicle relative to the operating components ofthe in-bay, vehicle washing system such that the control system for thevehicle wash can operate an overhead spray arch in the correct manner towash the vehicle.

[0004] Floor-mounted target systems can cause new customers a great dealof anxiety, since the customer must align the front tire with the targetwhile at the same time watching instruction signs mounted within thewash bay. Additionally, if the floor-mounted target system is missedinitially, it is difficult for the customer to back onto the ramp tomove into the correct position.

[0005] Floor-mounted target systems also have problems that areassociated with the variety of production tires that are available onthe market. Since the floor-mounted target captures the front tire ofthe vehicle being washed, floor-mounted target systems constantly haveissues with being able to accommodate the variety of widths and heightsof different types of tires. Additionally, many high performancevehicles have low profile tires creating a possibility that expensive,polished rims can be scratched or damaged by the floor-mounted targetsystem.

[0006] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide anopen bay loading system that does not include any type of floor-mountedtarget to position the vehicle within the wash bay. It is an additionalobject of the present invention to provide a vehicle-loading system thatutilizes a plurality of through-beam sensors and position sensors toaccurately determine the position of a vehicle within the open wash baywithout any contact with a tire of the vehicle. It is an additionalobject of the present invention to provide a vehicle-loading system thatincludes left and right side vehicle position sensors that not onlydetect the position of the vehicle within the open wash bay, but alsodetermine the side profile of the vehicle as it is driven into the openwash bay.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is a vehicle-loading system for positioninga vehicle within an open wash bay of a vehicle wash system. Thevehicle-loading system does not include any floor-mounted target deviceto position the vehicle within the wash bay. Instead, thevehicle-loading system of the invention includes at least a pair offront sensors that each emit a through beam spaced from each other by adistance of approximately 18 inches. As the vehicle drives into the washbay, a pair of right and left vehicle position sensors sense the sideprofile of the vehicle and the distance of the vehicle from both theright and left sides of the wash bay.

[0008] As the vehicle continues to proceed within the wash bay,electronic instruction signs within the wash bay signal the driver tostop when the front bumper of the vehicle is within a certain acceptableposition. If the vehicle travels too far into the wash bay, theinstruction signs within the wash bay signal the customer to back upinto the acceptable position. The use of the front sensors and the rightand left vehicle position sensors allows the control unit of the vehiclewash system to determine the position of the vehicle within the wash bayand modify the operating instructions to the overhead gantry and sprayarch based upon the position of the vehicle.

[0009] In addition to the front sensors and the left and right vehicleposition sensors, the vehicle wash system of the present inventionincludes a sensor positioned on the overhead gantry to detect the heightof the vehicle as the overhead gantry makes an initial pass over thevehicle. The overhead sensor is preferably an ultrasonic sensor. As thegantry makes a pass over the vehicle, the overhead sensor is able todetermine the top profile of the vehicle, which can be used to controlthe operation of the side and top portions of the spray arch.Preferably, the overhead sensor mounted to the gantry, as well as theright and left vehicle position sensors and the front sensors arecoupled to a common control unit that is able to determine an accurateprofile of the vehicle prior to initiating the wash process. In thismanner, the control unit for the vehicle wash system can controloperation of the spray arch based on a detailed profile of the vehiclebeing washed.

[0010] Various other features, objects and advantages of the inventionwill be made apparent from the following description taken together withthe drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated ofcarrying out the invention.

[0012] In the drawings:

[0013]FIG. 1 is an end view of an in-bay touchless vehicle wash systemincluding the vehicle loading and sensing system of the presentinvention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a top view of the in-bay, touchless vehicle wash systemillustrating the longitudinal positioning of a vehicle within the washsystem;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle entering thevehicle wash system;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the movement of the frontend of the vehicle and the proper positioning of the vehicle within thevehicle wash system;

[0017]FIG. 5 is an end view illustrating the positioning of a vehiclewithin the vehicle wash system;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a side view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 illustratingthe movement of the overhead gantry relative to the vehicle;

[0019]FIG. 7 is a top, schematic illustration of the movement of theoverhead gantry during the wash process;

[0020]FIG. 8 is a partial schematic illustration of the movement of thespray arch prior to washing the front end of a vehicle;

[0021]FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the movement of the sprayarch along the front of a vehicle being washed;

[0022]FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of the movement of the sprayarch prior to washing the opposite side of a vehicle;

[0023]FIG. 11 is a view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

[0024]FIG. 12 is a further illustration of the movement of the gantry towash the opposite side of a vehicle;

[0025]FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of the movement of the sprayarch prior to washing the rear end of a vehicle; and

[0026]FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of the movement of the sprayarch during washing of the rear end of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] In prior art in-bay, touchless vehicle wash systems, a floormounted target device receives the left front wheel of the vehicle. Inmany prior art systems, the target device is an inclined ramp thatreceives the front tire of the vehicle as the vehicle is driven onto theramp. The ramp includes side rails that aid in the guiding of the frontwheel into the proper position, which may scuff or damage the vehicletire as the vehicle is being properly positioned.

[0028] In addition to the possible scuffing of the vehicle tire, priorart touchless vehicle wash systems require the vehicle operator to lineup the front wheel with the floor mounted target while at the same timewatching instructions on bay-mounted signage. Thus, the prior art systemthat includes a floor mounted target device causes a great deal ofcustomer anxiety and is difficult to use. Additionally, if the vehicleis driven too far forward, the front tire of the vehicle drives down theback side of the ramp and the vehicle is unable to reposition itselfcorrectly within the vehicle wash bay.

[0029] In prior art vehicle wash systems, an overhead gantry moves alonga pair of parallel side rails to wash the vehicle when the vehicle ispositioned within the wash bay. The overhead gantry typically includes aspray arch that passes around the outside of the vehicle to apply soapand water to clean the vehicle. However, the overhead gantry is unableto determine the position of the front bumper of the vehicle extendingforward from the front wheel.

[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, thereshown is an in-bay,touchless vehicle wash system 10 of the present invention. The vehiclewash system 10 includes four spaced uprights 12 that are connected by apair of top, side supports 14 that define the longitudinal length of thewash system 10. The side supports 14 are each joined by an end rail 16to define a top frame for the vehicle wash system.

[0031] In addition to supporting the side supports 14, each of theuprights 12 supports a pair of spaced guide rails 18. The spaced guiderails 18 are used to support an overhead gantry 20. The overhead gantry20 is movable longitudinally along the pair of guide rails 18 to washthe vehicle 22 contained within the open wash bay. As can be understoodin FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame for the vehicle wash system 10 isself-supporting and can be positioned within an open wash bay to washthe vehicle 22.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 1, the overhead gantry 20 includes a sprayarch 24 that includes a series of spray nozzles used to wash the vehicle22. The spray arch 24 is rotatable about a central axis and is movablealong the length of the gantry 20. Thus, the spray arch 24 is movableacross the width of the wash bay. The spray arch 24 includes a top arm26 and a side arm 28 that each include a series of nozzles used to applyboth water and soap to the vehicle 22 during the wash process. As can beseen in FIG. 1, the side arm 28 is angled to generally correspond to theside profile of a vehicle.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 2, the vehicle wash system 10 includes aninstruction sign 30 that includes operational instructions for thedriver of the vehicle 22 as the vehicle is positioned within the washbay of the vehicle wash system. Preferably, the instruction sign 30includes various individual areas that can be lit to provide the vehicledriver the proper instructions, such as to drive forward, drive back,and stop, as well as an indication of when the wash process has beencompleted.

[0034] Referring now to both FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle loading system10 of the present invention includes a right vehicle position sensor 32and a left vehicle position sensor 34 that are used to detect thevehicle as it enters into the open wash bay between the rear pair ofuprights 12. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the right and left vehicleposition sensors 32 and 34 are each mounted to one of the rear uprights12 and are positioned above the floor at a height to detect the side ofa vehicle 22 being driven into the open wash bay. The right and leftsensors 32 and 34 are positioned near the entry to the wash system suchthat they detect the entire length of the vehicle, as will be describedbelow. Both the right sensor 32 and the left sensor 34 are coupled to acontrol unit 35 that controls the operation of the wash system. In thepreferred embodiment of the invention, the right vehicle position sensor32 and the left vehicle position sensor 34 are each an ultrasonicproximity sensor that can determine the distance between the individualsensor and the side of the vehicle.

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, as the vehicle 22 enters into theopen wash bay, the right vehicle position sensor 32 determines thedistance between the sensor 32 and the side of the vehicle, as indicatedby Y. At the same time, the left vehicle position sensor 34 determinesthe distance between the sensor 34 and the left side of the vehicle, asindicated by X. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the sensors 32 and 34are connected to the control unit 35 for the vehicle wash system 10.Each of the sensors 32 and 34 determines the distance between itself andeither the right or left side of the vehicle at numerous discrete timeperiods as the vehicle 22 enters into the wash bay. The numerousmeasurements made by each of the sensors 32 and 34 are used by thecontrol unit 35 to determine the lateral position of the vehicle 22within the wash bay as well as the side profile of the vehicle.Therefore, the vehicle loading system of the present invention measuresand records the full side profiles of the vehicle as the vehicle entersinto the wash system.

[0036] The vehicle loading system of the present invention allows thecontrol unit 35 of the vehicle wash system to generate a side profilefor the vehicle and detect protrusions or contours in the vehicle andadjust the wash operations accordingly. The best example of this type ofside sensing is evident in FIG. 4, in which the vehicle 22 includes rearfenders 36 that extend from the otherwise constant side profile of thevehicle. As indicated in FIG. 4, each of the rear bumpers 36 generate ameasurement Y′ and X′ that is different from the initial frontmeasurements X and Y made in FIG. 3. Based upon this information, thecontrol unit used to operate the vehicle wash can control the operationof the spray arch 24 and the overhead gantry based on the position ofthe vehicle and the side profile.

[0037] Referring back to FIG. 1, the overhead gantry 20 includes anoverhead sensor 38 that detects the height of the vehicle as the vehicleenters into the wash bay. Specifically, the overhead sensor 38 is anultrasonic proximity sensor that is connected to the control unit forthe vehicle wash system such that the overhead sensor 38 senses thedistance between the sensor 38 and the top of the vehicle at discretetime periods as the vehicle enters into the wash bay. Again, the controlunit can then determine the top profile of the vehicle prior toinitializing the wash process.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control unit 35can control the operation of the soap and water supplied to both the toparm 26 and the side arm 28 of the spray arch 24 depending upon the topprofile sensed by the overhead sensor 38. For example, if the controlunit determines from the overhead sensor 38 that the vehicle beingwashed is a small, compact car, the control unit can turn off operationof the top arm 26 and only emit soap and water from the side arm 28,since the side arm 28 is high enough to adequately cover the entirecompact car. Conversely, if the overhead sensor 38 determines that thevehicle is a large truck or sport utility vehicle, the control unit canturn on the soap and water conduits for the top arm 26 to make sure thatthe roof and hood of the vehicle are adequately covered. In this manner,the vehicle wash system can more efficiently distribute soap and wateron vehicles based upon sensing the type of vehicle being washed.

[0039] In addition to determining the top profile of the vehicle, theoverhead sensor 38 is able to positively determine the position of theback bumper of the vehicle as the overhead gantry 20 initially movesover the vehicle. Thus, the control unit 35 can accurately determine theposition of the back of the vehicle, as well as the position of eachside prior to beginning the wash process.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 2, the vehicle wash system 10 includes afront sensor array 40 mounted to each of the front uprights 12. Thefront sensor array 40 includes three individual through-beam sensorsthat each generate a through beam transmitted across the width of thevehicle wash bay.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 3, the front sensor array 40 includes afirst front sensor 42, a second front sensor 44 and a third front sensor46 that are spaced from each other along a mounting block 48. In thepreferred embodiment of the invention, the first, second and third frontsensors 42-46 include an emitter contained on the left mounting block 48and a corresponding receiver contained on the right mounting block 50.Thus, each of the sensors 42-46 generates a through-beam across thewidth of the vehicle wash bay.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, when the vehicle enters into the wash bay 11,the front bumper 52 breaks a first through-beam 54 generated by thefirst front sensor 42. When the first beam 54 is broken, the controlunit for the vehicle wash system operates the sign 30 (FIG. 2) toinstruct the customer to slow down.

[0043] As the vehicle 22 continues to move within the wash bay 11, thefront bumper 52 will break a second beam 56 generated by the secondfront sensor 44. Upon breaking the second beam 56, the control unitoperates the sign 30 to instruct the customer to stop. If the customerstops the vehicle before breaking the third beam 58, the sign willindicate to the customer that the vehicle is correctly positioned withinthe vehicle wash bay.

[0044] However, if the vehicle proceeds too far in the vehicle wash bay,the front bumper 52 will break the third beam 58 generated by the thirdfront sensor 46. If the third beam 58 is broken, the control unit willindicate to the consumer that the vehicle has traveled too far withinthe wash bay and request that the vehicle be backed up until only thefirst and second beams 54 and 56 are broken. Once the vehicle iscorrectly positioned, the sign 30 indicates that the vehicle should beplaced in park and the wash process will begin.

[0045] As can be understood by the foregoing description, theelimination of the “target” device on the floor of the wash bay allowsthe consumer to easily back up in the wash bay to correctly position thevehicle. In the prior art system which utilized a ramp to position thefront end of the vehicle, the reversal of the vehicle direction createdproblems in the wash process.

[0046] As can be understood by the foregoing description, the vehicleloading system of the present invention allows the control unit for thevehicle wash system to accurately locate the front bumper, rear bumper,make a side profile determination for the vehicle, and a top profiledetermination for the vehicle before the wash process begins. Based onthe readings from the individual sensors, the control unit for thevehicle wash system can adjust the operation of the overhead gantry andthe spray arch such that the spray arch is correctly positioned relativeto the vehicle during the wash operation.

[0047] An additional advantage of the present system is that the vehicleis positioned within the wash bay based on the front bumper of thevehicle. By knowing the accurate position of the front bumper, thevehicle wash system can more accurately locate the front of the car toimprove cleaning. Current systems that locate the front tire positionshave problems associated with the different vehicle dimensions betweenthe front bumper and the front tire.

[0048] Referring now to FIG. 5, once the vehicle has been positionedwithin the wash bay, the control unit is able to make a complete andaccurate profile of the position of the vehicle as well as adetermination of the distance of the vehicle between the right vehicleposition sensor 32 and the left vehicle position sensor 34. Based onthis determination, the control unit moves the spray arch 24 until theside arm 28 is the desired distance X″ from the outermost side portionof the vehicle 22. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIG. 5, the outermost portion is the extended rear bumper 36.

[0049] Once the lateral position of the spray arch has been set, theoverhead gantry 20 is moved in the direction illustrated by arrow 60 ofFIG. 6 to a home position, as illustrated in phantom. As the overheadgantry 20 moves to the home position, the overhead sensor 38 can locatethe back bumper of the vehicle. From the home position, the gantry 20moves along the guide rails 18 such that the spray arch 24 washes theside of the vehicle 22. Once the gantry reaches the end position shownin FIG. 7, the spray arch 24 is rotated 90° and the spray arch is movedlaterally across the front of the vehicle, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and9.

[0050] Once the spray arch reaches the front right corner of thevehicle, the spray arch again rotates 90° into the position shown inFIG. 10. Once in this position, the control unit moves the spray arch 24until the side arm 28 is the required distance Y″ from the outermostside portion of the vehicle 22. Once the spray arch is in the properposition, the gantry 20 moves in the direction illustrated by arrow 62to its rear position, as illustrated in FIG. 12. During this movement,the spray arch 24 washes the right side of the vehicle.

[0051] Once the gantry 20 reaches its rear position, the spray arch isrotated 90° to the position illustrated in FIG. 13. Once in position,the spray arch is moved laterally across the rear of the vehicle, asillustrated in FIG. 14. In this manner, the spray arch and gantry 20 areable to wash the entire vehicle while it is positioned within the washbay.

[0052] As can be understood by the above description, the vehicleloading system of the present invention is able to accurately positionthe vehicle within an open wash bay without the use of a “targetdevice”, such as a ramp that receives the front tire of a vehicle. Thevehicle loading system of the present invention is thus able to morequickly load a vehicle within the open wash bay. This is due to thecustomer being allowed much more freedom to position themselves withinthe wash bay, since the system of the present invention can detect theposition of the vehicle and adjust the operation of the gantryaccordingly. The vehicle positioning system of the present invention hasover thirty-two times the parking tolerance of current floor-mountedsystem, which allows the customer to proceed into the wash bay fasterand improves the customer's wash experience.

[0053] An additional advantage of the present invention is that theelimination of the floor-mounted “target” alignment system eliminatesthe large amount of maintenance and installation costs for the vehiclewash machine. Additionally, the elimination of the target system reducesany limitations to the physical size, width, or tire size of the vehiclebeing washed within the system.

[0054] Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as beingwithin the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out anddistinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.

We claim:
 1. A vehicle wash system for washing a vehicle positionedwithin a wash bay, the system comprising: a movable overhead gantryincluding a spray arm for washing a vehicle in the wash bay; a controlunit for controlling the movement of the overhead gantry and the sprayarch within the wash bay during the washing of the vehicle; a firstvehicle position sensor operable to determine the distance from thefirst vehicle position sensor to a first side of the vehicle as thevehicle enters into the wash bay, the first vehicle position sensorbeing connected to the control unit; and a second vehicle positionsensor operable to determine the distance from the second vehicleposition sensor to a second side of the vehicle as the vehicle entersinto the wash bay, the second vehicle position sensor being connected tothe control unit; wherein the control unit controls the operation of theoverhead gantry and the spray arch based upon the sensed distances ofthe vehicle from the first vehicle position sensor and the secondvehicle position sensor.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the firstvehicle position sensor and the second vehicle position sensor are eachultrasonic proximity sensors.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the firstvehicle position sensor and the second vehicle position sensor determinethe distance from the respective sensor to the vehicle at multiple timessuch that the control unit receives multiple distance measurements fromthe first and second vehicle position sensors as the vehicle enters intothe wash bay.
 4. The system of claim 1 further comprising an overheadsensor mounted to the movable overhead gantry, the overhead sensor beingoperable to determine the distance from the overhead sensor to the topof the vehicle positioned in the wash bay.
 5. The system of claim 4wherein the overhead sensor is an ultrasonic proximity sensor.
 6. Thesystem of claim 5 wherein the overhead sensor is connected to thecontrol unit such that the control unit operates the overhead gantry andthe spray arch based upon the distance from the overhead sensor to thevehicle.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the overhead sensor makesmultiple measurements during relative movement between the overheadgantry and the vehicle such that the overhead sensor determines the topprofile of the vehicle.
 8. The system of claim 1 further comprising afront sensor array positioned to detect the front of the vehicle as thevehicle enters into the wash bay, wherein the front sensor array iscoupled to the control unit such that the control unit can generate asignal to stop the movement of the vehicle upon sensing the front end ofthe vehicle by the sensor array.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein thefront sensor array includes a first front sensor and a second frontsensor each operable to detect the presence of the vehicle, wherein thecontrol unit signals the proper positioning of the vehicle when only thefirst sensor detects the vehicle and the control unit signals theimproper positioning of the vehicle when both the first front sensor andthe second front sensor detect the presence of the vehicle.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9 wherein both the first front sensor and the secondfront sensor are through-beam sensors.
 11. The system of claim 9 furthercomprising an electronic sign positioned within the wash bay and coupledto the control unit, wherein the control unit operates the sign toindicate the proper and improper position of the vehicle.
 12. A vehiclewash system for washing a vehicle positioned within a wash bay, thesystem comprising: an overhead gantry movable along the length of thevehicle, the overhead gantry including a spray arch for washing thevehicle positioned within the wash bay; a front sensor array positionedto detect the front end of the vehicle as the vehicle enters the washbay; and a control unit coupled to the front sensor array to receive anindication of the presence of the vehicle from the front sensor array;wherein the control unit generates a signal to direct the position ofthe vehicle based upon the signal from the front sensor array.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12 wherein the front sensor array includes a first frontsensor and a second front sensor each operable to detect the presence ofthe vehicle, wherein the control unit signals the proper positioning ofthe vehicle when only the first sensor detects the front of the vehicleand the control unit signals the improper positioning of the vehiclewhen both the first front sensor and the second front sensor detect thepresence of the vehicle.
 14. The system of claim 12 wherein both thefirst front sensor and the second front sensor are through-beam sensors.15. The system of claim 13 further comprising an electronic signpositioned within the wash bay and coupled to the control unit, whereinthe control unit operates the sign to indicate the proper and improperpositioning of the vehicle within the wash bay.
 16. The system of claim12 further comprising an overhead sensor mounted to the overhead gantry,the overhead sensor being operable to determine the distance from theoverhead sensor to the top of the vehicle positioned in the wash bay.17. The system of claim 16 wherein the overhead sensor is an ultrasonicproximity sensor.
 18. The system of claim 17 wherein the overhead sensormakes multiple measurements during relative movement between theoverhead gantry and the vehicle such that the overhead sensor generatesa top profile of the top surface of the vehicle.
 19. The system of claim18 wherein the overhead sensor is connected to the control unit suchthat the control unit operates the overhead gantry and the spray archbased upon the detected distance between the overhead sensor and the topof the vehicle.
 20. A vehicle wash system for washing a vehiclepositioned within a wash bay, the system comprising: an overhead gantrymovable along the longitudinal length of the vehicle when the vehicle ispositioned within the wash bay, the overhead gantry including a sprayarch operable to wash the vehicle within the wash bay; a control unitfor controlling the movement of the overhead gantry and operation of thespray arch during washing of the vehicle; a first vehicle positionsensor operable to determine the distance from the first vehicleposition sensor to a first side of the vehicle as the vehicle entersinto the wash bay, the first vehicle position sensor being connected tothe control unit; a second vehicle position sensor operable to determinethe distance from the second vehicle position sensor to a second side ofthe vehicle as the vehicle enters into the wash bay, the second vehicleposition sensor being connected to the control unit; an overhead sensormounted to the overhead gantry, the overhead sensor being operable todetermine the distance from the overhead sensor to the top of thevehicle positioned within the wash bay, the overhead sensor beingcoupled to the control unit; and a first front sensor and a second frontsensor spaced from each other and connected to the control unit, thefirst and second front sensors being operable to detect the presence ofthe vehicle, wherein the control unit signals the proper positioning ofthe vehicle when only the first front sensor detects the vehicle and thecontrol unit signals the improper positioning of the vehicle when boththe first front sensor and the second front sensor detect the presenceof the vehicle; wherein the control unit controls the operation of theoverhead gantry and the operation of the spray arch based upon thesensed distance of the vehicle from the first vehicle position sensor,the sensed distance of the vehicle from the second vehicle positionsensor, and the sensed distance of the top of the vehicle from theoverhead sensor.
 21. The system of claim 20 wherein the first vehicleposition sensor and the second vehicle position sensor are ultrasonicproximity sensors.
 22. The system of claim 20 wherein the first vehicleposition sensor and the second vehicle position sensor make multiplemeasurements as the vehicle enters the wash bay such that the controlunit receives multiple measurements of the distance between the vehicleand the first and second vehicle position sensors such that the controlunit can develop a profile of the side surfaces of the vehicle.
 23. Thesystem of claim 20 wherein the overhead sensor is an ultrasonicproximity sensor.
 24. The system of claim 23 wherein the overhead sensormakes multiple measurements during relative movement between theoverhead gantry and the vehicle such that the control unit can determinea top profile of the vehicle.
 25. The system of claim 24 wherein thespray arch includes a top arm and a side arm, wherein the control unitcontrols operation of the top arm and the side arm based upon the topprofile of the vehicle.
 26. The system of claim 20 wherein the firstfront sensor and the second front sensor are through-beam sensors.
 27. Amethod of controlling the operation of an overhead gantry and a sprayarch of a vehicle wash system, the method comprising the steps of:determining the position of a first side of the vehicle as the vehicleenters into the wash bay; determining the position of a second side ofthe vehicle as the vehicle enters into the wash bay; and operating theoverhead gantry and the spray arch based upon the position of the firstside of the vehicle and the position of the second side of the vehiclewithin the wash bay.
 28. The method of claim 27 further comprising thesteps of: detecting the position of the front end of the vehicle in thewash bay; and signaling to an operator of the vehicle to move thevehicle to a selected position in the wash bay based upon the detectionof the position of the front end of the vehicle.
 29. The method of claim28 further comprising the steps of: detecting the height of the vehiclein the wash bay; and operating the overhead gantry and the spray archbased upon the height of the vehicle within the wash bay.
 30. The methodof claim 27 wherein the step of determining the position of the firstand second side of the vehicle includes the steps of: positioning afirst vehicle position sensor near the entry of the wash bay;positioning a second vehicle position sensor opposite the first vehicleposition sensor near the entry to the wash bay; operating the firstvehicle position sensor to determine the distance from the first vehicleposition sensor to the first side of the vehicle as the vehicle entersinto the wash bay; operating the second vehicle position sensor todetermine the distance from the second vehicle position sensor to thesecond side of the vehicle as the vehicle enters into the wash bay; andreceiving the measured distances from the first vehicle position sensorand the second vehicle position sensor in a control unit, wherein thecontrol unit controls the operation of the overhead gantry and the sprayarch based upon the detected distances.
 31. The method of claim 30wherein both the first vehicle position sensor and the second vehicleposition sensor are ultrasonic proximity sensors.
 32. The method ofclaim 31 wherein the first vehicle position sensor and the secondvehicle position sensor are each operated at predetermined intervalssuch that the first vehicle position sensor and the second vehicleposition sensor generate multiple distance measurements as the vehicleenters into the wash bay such that the control unit can generate a sideprofile for each side of the vehicle.
 33. The method of claim 28 whereinthe step of detecting the position of the front end of the vehicleincludes the steps of: positioning a first front sensor within the washbay, the first front sensor operable to detect the presence of thevehicle; positioning a second front sensor within the wash bay, thesecond front sensor being operable to detect the presence of thevehicle, wherein the front sensor is spaced from the first front sensor;coupling the first front sensor and the second front sensor to a controlunit; and signaling the proper positioning of the vehicle when only thefirst front sensor detects the vehicle and signaling the improperposition of the vehicle when both the first front sensor and the secondfront sensor detects the presence of the vehicle.
 34. The method ofclaim 33 wherein the first front sensor and the second front sensor arethrough-beam sensors.
 35. The method of claim 29 wherein the step ofdetermining the height of the vehicle in the wash bay includes the stepsof: positioning an overhead sensor on the overhead gantry, the overheadsensor being operable to determine the distance from the overhead sensorto the top of the vehicle; and coupling the overhead sensor to a controlunit such that the control unit can determine the height of the vehiclebased upon the sensed distance from the overhead sensor to the top ofthe vehicle.
 36. The method of claim 35 wherein the overhead sensor isan ultrasonic proximity sensor.
 37. The method of claim 36 wherein theoverhead sensor makes multiple distance measurements during movement ofthe overhead gantry relative to the longitudinal length of the vehicle,such that the control unit can generate a top profile based upon themultiple distance measurements.